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IDHS and FEMA handling storm assessments in several Indiana counties

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10:07 AM

By Staff report

Gov. Mike Braun announced that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) following the June 6 through June 30, 2026, flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and derecho.

The joint PDA is a critical step in gathering information needed to determine whether a federal disaster declaration should be requested. They will be conducted by local, state and federal officials (FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration) to evaluate the impact and magnitude of the disaster.

The assessment includes visiting affected areas, documenting damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure, and gathering information that will be analyzed to determine whether federal assistance may be needed.

Individual Assistance assessments will be conducted in person by officials going door-to-door to individual homes in the following counties:

Elkhart             

Gibson             

Harrison           

Jefferson          

Lake    

Monroe

Ohio                

Porter              

Warrick

Public Assistance assessments will be conducted by officials virtually and in person with impacted state, territory, tribe, local government or private nonprofit organization in several Indiana counties including Cass, Marshall, Miami and Wabash.

Additional counties may be added as damage information continues to be collected.

Joint PDAs began July 16 in the counties listed above.

Damage assessment teams may be seen in impacted neighborhoods, documenting and photographing damage. Residents may be asked for details about their property damage by government officials. They will not enter your home.

Public Assistance damage assessments will be coordinated directly with impacted state, territory, tribe, local government or private nonprofit organizations.

FEMA assistance is not currently available for June 2026 severe weather.

The figure below shows FEMA's disaster declaration process. Indiana is currently on Step 3. Please note that this process does not guarantee a disaster request will be made or approved.

Individuals needing financial assistance should submit an application for the State Disaster Relief Fund through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Government personnel will always have an official identification badge. They will never ask for money and never require payment in any form.

If you are not home when teams come door-to-door, that's okay. Damage assessment teams are gathering sample information and do not need to visit every home.

Do not wait for potential FEMA assistance - file claims with insurance, take photos and keep receipts.

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